WO2024156062A1

WO2024156062A1 - Waste-disposal device

Info

Publication number: WO2024156062A1
Application number: PCT/CA2024/050089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Morand; Hugo MOERMANN ROUSSEAN
Original assignee: Angelcare Canada Inc.
Priority date: 2023-01-27
Filing date: 2024-01-26
Publication date: 2024-08-02

Abstract

A waste disposal device is disclosed and comprises a receptacle having an opening at a top end and defining an inner cavity. A bag interface is adapted to hold a bag opened at said opening with a closed end of the bag in the inner cavity. A pair of jaws is mounted in translation to move relative to one another and adapted to close off a portion of the bag passing therebetween. The pair of jaws is displaceable from a closed position in which the jaws meet to close access to the closed end of the bag, to an open position in which the jaws are separated from one another for waste to pass through the bag into the inner cavity. A mechanism operatively connects the jaws such that a pulling or pushing action on one jaw results in a concurrent displacement of the pair of jaws.

Description

WASTE-DISPOSAL DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the priority of United Stated Patent Application Serial No. 63/481 ,854, filed on January 27, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

[0002] The present application relates to waste disposal device for use with a bag and/or a film dispensing cassette and, more particularly but not exclusively, waste disposal device with bag closing mechanism for the disposal of odorous waste, such as diapers and litter.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0003] Waste disposal devices having odor-concealing systems with bags and/or film dispensing cassettes are well known. Such waste disposal devices typically comprise a bag that is closed off by given mechanisms, to conceal the odors within the bag. U.S. Patent No. 6,817,164 (Mauffette et al.) and U.S. Patent No. 7,406,814 (Morand) propose such odor-concealing systems. However, it is desired to create some waste-disposal systems of facilitated use.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

[0004] It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide a novel waste disposal device.

[0005] In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a waste disposal device comprising: a receptacle having an opening at a top end, the receptacle defining an inner cavity accessible through the opening; a bag interface adapted to hold a bag opened at the opening of the receptacle with a closed end of the bag in the inner cavity; a pair of jaws mounted in translation to move relative to one another and adapted to close off a portion of the bag passing therebetween, the pair of jaws being displaceable from a closed position in which the jaws meet to close access to the closed end of the bag, to an open position in which the jaws are separated from one another for waste to pass through the bag into the inner cavity; and a mechanism operatively connecting the jaws such that a pulling or pushing action on one of the jaws results in a concurrent displacement of the pair of jaws.

[0006] Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, a distance of travel of one of the jaws of the pair of jaws upon the pulling or pushing action is shorter than a resulting combined movement between edges of the respective jaws of the pair of jaws, the edges adapted to contact each other in the closed position.

[0007] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the resulting combined movement between the edges of the respective jaws of the pair of jaws is between 150% and 200% of the distance, inclusively.

[0008] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the pair of jaws define an opening in between them in the open position, the pair of jaws meeting at a center of the opening between the pair of jaws in the closed position.

[0009] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the mechanism includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the jaws of the pair of jaws forming part of respective ones of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

[0010] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, at least the first jaw member includes guide legs, the guide legs spaced apart from each other and interconnected via one jaw of the pair of jaws.

[0011] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the pulling action on the second jaw member in a first direction causes a concurrent movement of the first jaw member in a second direction, the first direction at least partially opposite to the second direction.

[0012] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the first direction and the second direction are in a common plane. [0013] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the second jaw member includes guide legs spaced apart from each other and interconnected via the other one of the jaws of the pair of jaws, the guide legs of the first jaw member and the second jaw member movable with respect to one another in an overlapping relationship, between the closed position and the open position.

[0014] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the guide legs of the first jaw member each define a channel for receiving a respective rack of the mechanism.

[0015] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the guide legs of the second jaw member each define a channel for receiving a respective rack of the mechanism.

[0016] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the mechanism includes a first pinion between a guide leg of the first jaw member and a guide leg of the second jaw member.

[0017] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the mechanism includes racks respectively moving with the jaws of the pair of jaws, and a pinion meshingly engaged with the racks.

[0018] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the mechanism includes a tray, an opening is defined through the tray, one of the jaws of the pair of jaws is received within the tray for translational movement relative to the tray.

[0019] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the receptacle includes a base portion and an upper portion pivotable relative to the base portion.

[0020] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the tray is pivotable relative to the base portion.

[0021] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the tray is held captive in the upper portion. [0022] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, a vector of movement of the jaws of the pair of jaws is perpendicular to a vertical axis of the waste disposal device.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method of installing a film dispensing cassette in a waste disposal device, the film dispensing cassette including an annular body, an outer periphery having four corners and a central opening from a bottom to a top of the annular body, the annular body receiving in a volume thereof a tubular film in an accumulated condition radially outward of the central opening, the method comprising: dispensing some of the tubular film from a top of the annular body via a free end of the tubular film; passing the free end of the tubular film through the central opening of the annular body, and through a gap between a pair of jaws of a closing mechanism in an open position; and positioning the annular body in a cassette support of the waste disposal device in any one of four possible angular orientations of the cassette in the cassette support.

[0024] In accordance with yet another aspect, there is provided a method for disposing of waste in a waste disposal device with a film dispensing cassette, the method comprising: obtaining the film dispensing cassette including an annular body defining a central opening, the film dispensing cassette having a generally square periphery, the annular body including a volume for receiving a tubular film radially outward of the central opening; passing a free end of the tubular film through the central opening of the annular body; inserting the annular body in a cassette support of the waste disposal device in any one of a total of four possible orientations of the cassette in the cassette support; causing a movement in at least partially opposite directions of a pair of jaws mounted in translation to open access to an inner cavity of the waste disposal device for the free end of the tubular film to go in, by applying a manual force to a single one of the jaws; and disposing waste into the free end of the tubular film through the central opening and through a gap between the pair of jaws.

[0025] In accordance with yet another aspect, there is provided a waste disposal device comprising: a receptacle defining an internal volume to receive a length of the tubular film forming a waste receiving volume, the receptacle having a top open end; a holder adapted to hold a bag such that the bag extends from the holder into the internal volume of the receptacle; and a closing mechanism including a first member operatively engaged with a second member, the first member and the second member concurrently displaceable in at least partially opposite directions along a plane extending along the opening, the first member and the second member each obstructing at least part of the opening and closing access to the waste receiving volume in a first position, and defining an access to the waste receiving volume by moving towards a second position, the first member and the second member defining a gap aligned with the opening in a direction transverse to the plane in the second position.

[0026] In accordance with yet another aspect, there is provided a waste disposal device comprising: a receptacle defining an internal volume to receive a length of bag forming a waste receiving volume, the receptacle having a top opening; and a closing mechanism mounted to the receptacle, the closing mechanism including a first member operatively engaged to a second member, the first member and the second member concurrently displaceable between an open position and a closed position, the first member and the second member defining a gap therebetween to serve as a passage of waste to the internal volume through the gap in the open position, and closing the gap between the first member and the second member in the closed position, the first member operable to move towards the second member and causing movement of the second member towards the first member, from the open position to the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a waste disposal device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 ;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 , with a lid thereof opened;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 , with a lid thereof opened, and with jaw members in an open position; [0031] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 , with an upper portion thereof pivoted opened;

[0032] Fig. 6 is an assembly view of the closing mechanism of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 ;

[0033] Figs. 7A and 7B show the closing mechanism in an open and a closed position;

[0034] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 ;

[0035] Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 1 , according to a variant;

[0036] Fig. 10 is a rear elevation view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 9;

[0037] Fig. 11 is a top view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 9; and

[0038] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the waste disposal device of Fig. 9, showing a bottom thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 , a waste disposal device (hereinafter "device") is generally shown at 10. The device 10 may be known as a garbage, a pail, a garbage pail, a trash, a bin, etc. The device 10 may be used with any suitable type of waste, including diapers and child care products, litter waste, kitchen waste, such as compost, or other types of waste, etc. The device 10 is of the type using a film dispensing cassette (hereinafter “cassette” 100) dispensing film that may form a tubular bag. Any bag or any other suitable type of bag dispenser may be used as well with the device 10. Moreover, the expression cassette is one among others to describe item 100, with other expressions including cartridge, refill, etc.

[0040] The waste-disposal device 10 includes a base portion 20 defining a receptacle for receiving waste, an upper portion 30 including a lid and for supporting the cassette 100, and a closing mechanism including one or more of a tray 50, a jaw member 60 and a jaw member 70 for closing a bag extending into the receptacle and hung from the upper portion 30.

[0041] The waste-disposal device 10 is a receptacle that may be defined by the base portion 20, and also possibly by the upper portion 30 (and likely parts of the closing mechanism). The base portion 20 has a peripheral wall 21 defining an inner cavity 21 A (Fig. 5). While one continuous peripheral wall 21 is shown, other arrangements are possible such as walls 21 separated by hard edges, posts for supporting a fabric making up the walls, etc. The inner cavity 21 A defines an internal volume to receive waste. The peripheral wall 21 defines a rim 22 at a top end of the base portion 20. The rim 22 extends about a central opening 23 of the base portion 20. The central opening 23 provides access to the inner cavity 21 A from the top end of the base portion 20. In an embodiment, the central opening 23 may be generally squared, with or without rounded corners, such as squircle. The central opening 23 could be round, oval, octagonal, or other shapes in other embodiments.

[0042] The peripheral wall 21 defines a groove 24 or recess at the top end of the base portion 20, on a front face of the device 10. As shown in Fig. 5, a tongue 25 extends upwardly from the groove 24. The tongue 25 may be considered part of the peripheral wall 21 , but has a cantilevered end such that it may be moved by deformation (e.g., elastic deformation). The tongue 25 may be integral with the peripheral wall 21 , or a separate part coupled therewith. The tongue 25 may include one or more bores 25A. The bores 25A extend through the tongue 25. As shown, the bores 25A are located at opposite lateral ends of the tongue 25, on opposite sides of a central axis of the base portion 20. These bores 25A have a generally rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the bores 25A could have other shapes, e.g., round, oval, etc.

[0043] Edge walls 26 extend on opposite sides of the central opening 23, for example from a plane of the rim 22. The edge walls 26 may be referred to as tabs. The edge walls 26 may form part of the peripheral wall 21 or be separate parts coupled to the peripheral wall 21. In the embodiment shown, the tongue 25 and the edge walls 26 extend around the central opening 23. The tongue 25 and the edge walls 26 are separate from each other along the top end of the base portion 20. As shown, there is a space between the tongue 25 and the respective edge walls 26, that may allow the afore-described movement of the tongue 25. The tongue 25 and edge walls 26 could extend continuously along the central opening 23 in other embodiments. The edge walls 26 may contribute to a coupling of another component onto the rim 22 of the base portion 20.

[0044] Returning to Fig. 2 and with additional reference to Fig. 5, the base portion 20 includes a hinge member 27 at the top end, for pivoting engagement of the tray 50 with the base portion 20 as described below. In the embodiment shown, the hinge member 27 includes a pair of recesses defined by the peripheral wall 21 , and may include pivots in the recesses (and a single recess). As shown, the recesses of the hinge member 27 are spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the central axis. In at least some embodiments, a cutting tool 28 is located at the top end of the base portion 20. In the embodiment shown, a cutting tool 28 is located between the recesses of the hinge member 27. The cutting tool 28 may be centrally located relative to left-right sides of the base portion 20. In at least some embodiments, the cutting tool 28 is pivotally mounted to the base portion 20. Non-pivoting mounting is also contemplated in other embodiments. The cutting tool 28 could also be mounted (pivotally or not) to the upper portion 30 (described below), for example. The pivotal mounting may include a biasing member, such as a spring, to bias the cutting tool 28 in a use position when the upper portion 30 is raised. When the upper portion 30 is closed, it pushes the cutting tool 28 in a non-use position. Pivoting is only one possibility. The cutting tool 28 may be mounted so as to be displaceable in translation from a use position to a non-use position, in variants. As shown, the tongue 25, the edge walls 26 and the hinge member 27 are all located around the central opening 23 of the base portion 20. The hinge member 27 and the tongue 25 are located on opposite sides of the central opening 23.

[0045] The waste-disposal device 10 includes an upper portion 30 connected to the base portion 20. Referring to Figs. 3-4, the upper portion 30 includes a peripheral wall 31 , which defines a periphery thereof. While one continuous wall 31 is shown, other arrangements are possible such as walls 31 separated by hard edges, etc. The wall 31 defines an inner cavity 31A. The inner cavity 31A of the upper portion 30 provides access to the inner cavity 21 A of the base portion 20. The inner cavity 31 A has an inner volume that may serve as a passage of waste and/or objects therethrough. The upper portion 30 may optionally include a support 32 (Fig. 8), which may be referred to as a bag support or cassette refill support or seat. In at least some embodiments, the support 32 is configured to receive the cassette refill 100. The upper portion 30 defines a central opening 33. The central opening 33 extends through the support 32. The central opening 33 may receive waste therethrough and/or a length of tubular film or bag, such as a length of bag hung open in the upper portion 30, or a length of tubular film accumulated in the cassette refill 100 and extending therefrom (if the cassette 100 is present).

[0046] The central opening 33 is aligned with the central opening 23 of the base portion 20. In the embodiment shown, the central opening 33 has a generally square shape with rounded corners, or squircle shape. Other shapes can be contemplated in other embodiments, such as square, round, oval, octagonal, or other annular shape.

[0047] The upper portion 30 has a groove 34 on a front face of the device 10. The groove 34 is defined by the peripheral wall 31 of the upper portion 30. The groove 34 is sized to receive one’s finger to manipulate a detent as described below.

[0048] The upper portion 30 has a hinge member 37 adapted to hingedly connect to a lid 38. The lid 38 is atop the upper portion 30, to close a top end thereof and is movable between an open and close position to respectively cover and uncover the central opening 33 of the upper portion 30.

[0049] The lid 38 includes a hinge member 39, which connects with the hinge member 37 of the upper portion 30. The hinge members 37, 39 may include malefemale couplings, interlocking features, pin-hole arrangement, for example. The hinge member 37, 39 may allow the lid 38 to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the upper portion 30 or wall 31. Interconnection between the hinge members 37, 39 can be seen in Fig. 8.

[0050] The waste-disposal device 10 includes a closing mechanism now described with reference to Fig. 6. The closing mechanism may have a tray 50 having side walls 51 (though a single continuous side wall could be present). The tray 50 has at least two side walls 51 , spaced apart on opposite side of the tray 50. As can be observed, the tray 50 has a shape generally matching that of the upper portion 30, as the tray 50 is assembled captively into the upper portion 30 so as not to move relative to the upper portion 30. In a variant, features of the upper portion 30 and of tray 50 could be in a single monoblock piece, but the assembly of two components may be simpler from a manufacturing standpoint. An axle slot 51 A is defined in each wall 51. The axle slots 51 A face towards each other (e.g., without direct line of sight). The axle slots 51 A may be configured as recesses in respective walls 51 . The tray 50 includes a bottom wall 52. The bottom wall 52 extends between the walls 51 . As shown, the bottom wall 52 interconnects the respective walls 51 , and may form a sliding plane for other components described below. A central opening 53 is defined through the tray 50. The central opening 53 may have the same or a similar shape as that of the central openings 23, 33 described above. Axle slots 53A are defined in a rim 53B extending about the central opening 53. The axle slots 53A may have a similar or identical configuration as the axle slots 51 A. The axle slots 53A are facing respective ones of the axle slots 51 A of the side walls 51. Pairs of the axle slots 51 A, 53A are facing each other and are generally aligned to form a rotational support as described below. The axle slots 51 A, 53A may thus mirror each other.

[0051] The tray 50 also has a face wall 54. The face wall 54 defines a groove 55, that is aligned with the groove 34 when the tray 50 is assembled to the upper portion 30. A latch 56 extends from the groove 55. As shown and with additional reference in Fig. 8, the latch 56 may extend downwardly from the groove 55. In the embodiment shown, the groove 55 and latch 56 are located centrally between the side walls 51 and rim 53B. On an opposite side of the tray 50 as that of the groove 55 and latch 56, the tray 50 includes hinge members 57 that hingedly connect with the base portion 20. Accordingly, by the pivoting arrangement between the tray 50 and the base portion 20, the upper portion 30 may be pivoted open as shown in Fig. 4 to provide an access to an interior of the inner cavity 21 A for removing a bag filled with waste.

[0052] With continued reference to Fig. 6, the pairs of axle slots 51A, 53A may support a pinion 58. The pinion 58 may be supported at its opposite extremities and mounted for rotation within these axle slots 51A, 53A. The pinion 58 may transmit a reciprocal movement of components of the closing mechanism. Mechanical engagement and interoperability of the pinion 58 with such components upon actuation of the closing mechanism will be described later. As observed, the pinion 58 may have shaft projections laterally to a central gear portion, and may be a monoblock piece or an assembly of gear and shaft.

[0053] The closing mechanism includes a first jaw member 60. The first jaw member 60 is received within the tray 50, for translational movement of the first jaw member 60 relative to the tray 50. The first jaw member 60 includes guide legs 61 adapted for guiding engagement, along the bottom wall 52 of the tray 50. The guide legs 61 may define channels 61A. As shown, the channels 61A are opened upwardly. Cutouts 61 B are defined in walls of the guide legs 61 , along the channels 61 A. The cutouts 61 B therefore forms side openings for the pinions 58 to project out of the guide legs 61. The first jaw member 61 includes a jaw 62. The jaw 62 is shown as being a straight member but may have other shapes. The jaw 62 extends between the guide legs 61 . The guide legs 61 are spaced apart from each other and are interconnected via the jaw 62. The guide legs 61 include racks 68 lodged in the respective channels 61A. The racks 68 can be seen in Fig. 6 through the cutouts 61 B. The racks 68 are drivingly engageable with the pinion 58. Upon actuation of the first jaw member 60 along a displacement axis, the racks 68 and the pinions 58 may cooperate. Axial displacement of the racks 68 cause rotation of the pinions 58, and vice versa. While pairs of pinions 58, racks 68 and 78 are described, a single set featuring a pinion 58, a rack 68 and a rack 78 may be present. The pairs shown may define two transmission force paths that may reduce stress on a single set.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the closing mechanism includes a second jaw member 70 to cooperate with the first jaw member 60. The second jaw member 70 may include similar features as the first jaw member 60. As shown, the second jaw member 70 includes guide legs 71 , each with cutouts 71 A form into a sidewall thereof and channels 71 B as the channels 61 B of the other jaw member 60. The second jaw member 70 defines a jaw 72, similar to the jaw 62 of the first jaw member 60. The jaw 72 is shown as being a straight member but may have other shapes, complementary to that of the jaw 62 for edge-long contact therebetween to squeeze a bag shut between them. The second jaw member 70 has side walls 73 spaced apart by and interconnected with a face wall 74. [0055] The face wall 74 defines a slot 75 allowing access to latches 75A that cooperate with the bores 25A of the tongue 25, such that a pressure on the latches 75A via the slot 75 can separate the latches 75A from the bores 25A, enabling a pivoting of the tray 50 relative to the base portion 20. A detent 76 may also be accessed within the groove 34 and slot 75. The detent 76 may cooperate with the latch 56 of the tray 50. The detent 76 includes a wedge 76A or like retained adapted to engage the latch 56. The detent 76 may be actuated manually from a locked position to an unlocked position (such as by pressing down on the detent 76 in the illustrated embodiment), whereby the wedge 76A may disengage from the latch 56. In the unlocked position of the detent 76, the wedge 76A may not interfere with the latch 56, thereby freeing up the movement between the second jaw member 70 and the tray 50, such that the second jaw member 70 may be pulled outwardly. With continued reference to Fig. 6, the second jaw member 70 includes racks 78, similar to the racks 68 of the first jaw member 60. The racks 78 are drivingly engageable with the pinions 58, as the racks 68 of the first jaw member 60. As shown, the racks 78 of the second jaw member 70 may face the respective racks 68 of the first jaw member 60. The pinions 58 may be between and operatively engaged with both of the racks 68, 78. Upon application of a pulling force or pushing force on the racks 78, the pinions 58 may rotate and thus cause a corresponding movement of the other racks 68. Engagement of the pinions 58 with the racks 68, 78 may cause a concurrent displacement of the racks 68, 78 in opposite directions, as the pinions 58 are prevented from translating by being held captive in the tray 50. Stated otherwise, movement of racks 78 in engagement with the pinions 58 in a first direction may cause a corresponding movement of the other racks 68 in a second direction opposite the first direction. Reciprocity of movements between the first and second jaw members 60, 70 may thus occur upon applying a pushing or pulling force on the closing mechanism, from an open position to a closed position (or vice versa), as will now be described with reference to Figs. 7A and 7B and 8. Moreover, the pulling or pushing distance by a user is amplified by the closing mechanism, in that the transmission of racks 68, 78 and pinions 58, such that the travel distance between the jaws 62 and 72 is greater than the pulling or pushing distance. [0056] While pairs of pinions 58, racks 68 and 78 are described, a single set featuring a pinion 58, a rack 68 and a rack 78 may be present. The pairs shown may define two transmission force paths that may reduce stress on a single set.

[0057] In Fig. 8, a cross-section of the closing mechanism shows components thereof when the closing mechanism is placed in a closed position, whereby the jaws 62 and 72 come together to close access through the central openings 33, 53 between the base portion 20 and the upper portion 30 of the waste-disposal device 10. It can be observed that the jaws 62 and 72 meet generally centrally in the combined openings 23, 33, 53. In contrast, a fixed jaw abutting component would occlude, at least partially, the central openings 23, 33, 53 if a single movable jaw were to close same against it in a central closed position. Moreover, such a single movable jaw would need to travel a greater distance so as not to occlude the central openings 23, 33 and 53, and would like consume more plastic bag by pushing same to the side of the receptacle.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 8, the latches 75A engage the bores 25A. Engagement of the latches 75A with the bores 25A may ensure that the upper portion 30 is blocked from pivoting relative to the base portion 20. By disengaging the latches 75A from the bores 25A in the tongue 25, the upper portion 30 (including the closing mechanism) may be pivoted to the orientation of Fig. 5.

[0059] Looking now at the operation of the closing mechanism, in waste storage, the bag extends from the upper portion 30 into the inner cavity 21 A of the base portion 20. The bag is pinched shut between the jaws 62, 72. Once the detent 76 is released from the latch 56, e.g., by pressing downwardly on the detent 76 via access through the slot 75, a user may operate the closing mechanism from the closed position (Figs. 7B and 8) to the open position (Fig. 7A) by pulling on the second jaw member 70 out of the closed position (Figs. 4 and 7B), to separate the jaws 62, 72, and allow the bag to swallow waste. Pulling on the second jaw member 70 causes separation of the jaw 72 from the jaw 62 of the first jaw member 60. The first and second jaw members 60, 70 may thus move with respect to one another in an overlapping relationship between the closed position and the open position. A gap or opening 83 between the jaws 62, 72 may thus be created, whereby access to the inner cavity 21A through the central openings 23, 33 and 53 may be created. Pulling on the second jaw member 70 in a first direction causes a concurrent movement of the first jaw member 60 in a second direction, which may be opposite, or at least partially opposite if the concurrent movement is not along a common plane, for example.

[0060] In a variant, the waste disposal device 10 may be said to define a receptacle having an opening at a top end, the receptacle defining an inner cavity accessible through the opening. The receptacle may be defined by the base portion 20, and optionally by the upper portion 30 and closing mechanism. A bag interface may be present and may be adapted to hold a bag opened at the opening of the receptacle with a closed end of the bag extending in the inner cavity. For example, the bag is hung at the opening, and extends downwardly into the inner cavity. The bag may be dispensed by the cassette 100 in a variant. A pair of jaws, such as jaws 62 and 72, may be mounted in translation to open and close access to the closed end of the bag. The jaws 62 and 72 close off a portion of the bag passing therebetween. In a variant, directions of translation of the jaws 62 and 72 are parallel to a common plane. The pair of jaws 62 and 72 are displaceable from a closed position in which the jaws 62,72 meet to close the access through the opening, to an open position in which the jaws 62,72 are separated from one another for waste to pass through the bag into the inner cavity. The jaws 62,72 may meet at a center of the opening 83 in a variant. A mechanism operatively connects the jaws 62,72, such that a pulling or pushing action on one of the jaws results in a concurrent displacement of the pair of jaws 62,72. Such concurrent displacement is amplified. The mechanism may include racks 68,78, respectively moving with the jaws 62,72, and a pinion 58 meshingly engaged with the racks. The amplified concurrent displacement may mean that for a distance of travel D of the jaw 72, as a result of the pulling action, the resulting movement between the contacting edges of the jaws 62,72 is greater than D. The single manual pulling action may thus equate to a distance of travel D, and the resulting combined movement between the jaws 62,72 is greater than D, such as least 1 ,5*D. Stated otherwise, the distance of travel of one of the jaws 62, 72 of the pair of jaws 62, 72 upon the pulling or pushing action is shorter than a resulting combined movement between edges of the respective jaws 62, 72 of the pair of jaws 62, 72. In a variant, the resulting combined movement between the contacting edges of the jaws 62,72 is between 1.5*D and 2.0*D (or, stated otherwise, between 150% and 200% of the distance D), inclusively. Although not shown, a biasing member may be present to bias the jaws 62,72 to the closed position, such as when the pulling action on one of the jaws 62,72 is released. Accordingly, in a method of use, a single pulling action may cause such amplified movement, and subsequent return of the jaws 62,72 to a bagshutting closed position, when the single pulling action is released. The mechanism may include a single rack 68,78 for each jaw 62,72, and a pinion 58 between the racks 68,78. Mirrored pairs of racks 68,78 and pinions 58 may be present, as shown. Other gear transmissions could be used, including sets of spur gears, spring-loaded telescopic members, etc.

[0061] The closing mechanism may be said to include a first member operatively engaged with a second member, the first member and the second member optionally concurrently displaceable along a plane extending along the opening 53, the first member and the second member each obstructing part of the opening 53 and closing the inner cavity in a first position, and opening the inner cavity by moving towards a second position, the first member and the second member defining a gap aligned with the opening 53 in a direction transverse to the plane in the second position.

[0062] Alternatively, the closing mechanism may be said to be mounted to the receptacle, the closing mechanism including a first member operatively engaged to a second member, the first member and the second member concurrently displaceable between an open position and a closed position, the first member and the second member defining a gap therebetween to serve as a passage of waste to the internal volume through the gap in the open position, and closing the gap between the first member and the second member in the closed position, the first member operable to move towards the second member and causing movement of the second member towards the first member, from the open position to the closed position.

[0063] In a variant, the jaw members 60 and 70 are U-shaped structures oriented flat and having their openings facing each other, and their bottoms forming the contacting edges of the jaws 62,72. Conveniently, from a top view, the legs of the U- shaped structure are over each other, at least partially, and incorporate the transmission/gear mechanism. The tray 50 may optionally be present to serve as a sliding guide to limit movement of the jaw members 60 and 70 to translation, and to serve as a support for a rotational component of the transmission/gear mechanism, e.g., pinion(s) 58. In a variant, the direction or vector of movement of the jaws 62,72 is parallel to the ground when the device 10 is standing vertically on the ground. Stated otherwise, the direction or vector of movement of the jaws 62,72 may be perpendicular to a vertical axis of the device 10. In a variant, the jaw member 70 is the component that is pushed and pulled, and the pushing and pulling force is converted into a movement of the driven jaw member 60.

[0064] With continued reference to Fig. 8, and additional reference to Figs. 3-4, the cassette 100, the cassette installation in the waste disposal device 10, and methods of disposing waste using the device 10 and the cassette 100 will now be described.

[0065] As can be seen, the cassette 100 includes an annular body 101 which defines a central opening 102 from a bottom to a top of the annular body 101. The annular body 101 has a generally square periphery, here with four rounded corners. This may also be referred to as squircle. The inner and outer periphery of the annular body 101 may both have a generally square shape, though this is optional. For example, the inner periphery, which may define the central opening 102 may have a round, oval, or other shapes. The annular body 101 includes a volume for receiving tubular film TF (Fig. 8), which may be packed or in an accumulated condition in various manners. In an embodiment, the tubular film is vertically folded, such that a plurality of vertical plies are stacked one on another in a direction extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the annular body 101 (or vice versa in some variants). A free end TFE of the tubular film TF before the tubular film TF is dispensed from the annular body 101 may be located closer from the outer periphery of the annular body 101 than the inner periphery thereof. The free end TFE of the tubular film TF may be pulled out from the volume, in a generally upward direction relative to the annular body 101. The free end TFE of the tubular film TF may then be passed through the central opening 102 of the annular body 101. The free end TFE of the tubular film TF may be knotted or otherwise closed to form a bag end for receiving waste. A user may thus dispose waste into the free end of the tubular film TF, through the central opening 102 of the annular body 101. Before disposing waste the formed bag, the user may install the cassette in the support 32 of the device 10. The support 32 may have a wall 32W defining a periphery of the support 32 to surround the outer periphery of the cassette 100 when the cassette 100 is seated within the support 32. The wall 32W may have a shape that generally corresponds to the outer periphery of the annular body 101 .

[0066] While the wall 32W is referred to as a single continuous wall, the wall 32W could include a plurality of wall segments separate from each other, or the wall 32W could be otherwise discontinuous along the outer periphery of the annular body 101 of the cassette 100. For example, the support 32 could be a mesh structure with suitable features to receive or hold in any appropriate way the cassette 100 in the device 10.

[0067] In an embodiment, as shown, the wall 32W of the support 32 has a generally square shape, which may correspond to the generally square shape of the cassette 100, but the wall 32W may have any other shape. The outer periphery of the annular body 101 may contact the wall 32W of the support 32 continuously or discontinuously therealong, depending on variants. The cassette 100 and/or support 32 could also be sized to leave a clearance in between them to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, for example. The cassette 100 and the support 32 could also be sized to have a slide fit interface, in a variant.

[0068] As can be seen in Fig. 8, the wall 32W may have a tapered shape in a downward direction (i.e., toward a bottom of the device 10). Such taper could correspond to a taper in the outer periphery of the annular body 101 , which could be similarly or identically tapered, in some variants. As the cassette 100 is inserted on the support 32, the tapered wall 32W may mate with the outer periphery of the annular body 101. Thus the tapered wall 32W is one possible blocking feature ensuring that the cassette 100 is properly inserted in the device 10. In an embodiment, upon applying a downward force on the cassette 100, the outer periphery of the annular body 101 may frictionally engage the wall 32W. The cassette 100 may be secured in place only by such engagement, in variants. Such frictional engagement is optional. In an embodiment, the cassette 100 could be suspended from its top on the support 32, and/or seated on a surface of the support 32 at a bottom thereof. As in Fig. 8, the annular body 101 could be suspended in an upper portion thereof to a rim 32R of the support 32. The rim 32R could be continuous along the full periphery of the cassette 100 and support 32, though this is optional (e.g., it could only support the cassette 100 discontinuously along the outer periphery of the cassette 100, at separate locations along its periphery). Depending on the size of the cassette (e.g., depth of the annular body 101) relative to the dimensions of the support 32, for example, the cassette 100 could be seated on a bottom wall 32B of the support 32, or not.

[0069] In at least some embodiments, as shown, the support 32 may include an inner wall 32WI, which may define the central opening 33 of the support 32. The inner wall 32WI, if present, may extend along the inner periphery of the annular body 101 and/or central opening 102 thereof. The inner wall 32WI may, like the wall 32W discussed above, engage with the inner periphery of the annular body 101 of the cassette 100. Like the wall 32W the inner wall 32WI may have a tapered shape, which may generally correspond to the tapered inner periphery of the annular body 101. As can be seen in Fig. 8, the inner wall 32WI, if present, may not extend along the entire height of the annular body 101 along its inner periphery. The inner wall 32WI may have a varying height along the inner periphery of the annular body 101. In the embodiment shown, the inner wall 32WI has its highest section at a rear of the device 10 or, stated differently, on the same side of the device 10 as the hinge member 27 between the base portion 20 and the upper portion 30. The inner wall 32WI has its lowest section at a front of the device 10 or, stated differently, on the opposite side to that of the hinge member 27. A substantial part (more than half of its height) of the inner periphery of the annular body 101 may thus be visible and accessible to define a grabbing location of the annular body 101 when it is seated in the support 32, though this is optional. This may render more convenient the manual removal of the cassette 100 from the support 32. Such varying height of the inner wall 32WI is optional in some variants. The inner wall 32WI itself is also optional in some variants.

[0070] The cassette 100 can be inserted in the support 32 in up to four possible orientations (90 degrees clockwise/counterclockwise positions). The cassette 100 is self- orientable with respect to the support 32. The cassette 100 may be indexed with respect to the support 32 before inserting the cassette 100 therein; however, due to the nonrounded shape of the outer periphery of the annular body 101 , and the corresponding non-rounded shape of the wall 32W of the support 32, once the cassette 100 is inserted in the support 32, no clockwise/counterclockwise movement of the cassette 100 relative to the support 32 may occur. Stated otherwise, the cassette 100 may be angularly locked in position in the support 32 once it is inserted therein.

[0071] As shown, the cassette 100 may optionally include a lid 103 to at least partially close up the volume of the annular body 101 , at a top end of the cassette 100. The lid 103 may include a frangible portion 104, which may be detached from a remainder of the lid 103, either before or after the cassette 100 is installed in the support 32. The frangible portion 104 may define an outer periphery of the lid 103, though it could define a inner periphery of the lid 103 in variants. The lid 103 may be clipped or connected in any appropriate way to the upper edge(s) of the annular body 101. The whole lid 103 can be removed, though in most applications, only the frangible portion 104 is removed and the remainder of the lid 103 may remain in place to partially close the volume at the top end of the cassette 100.

[0072] In order to dispose of waste, the user of the device 10 may obtain a cassette 100, which may include tubular film TF already packed therein, or use an empty cassette 100 and install a tubular film TF therein, which may be pre-folded and dimensioned so as to fit in the volume of the annular body 101 , but this is optional. The lid 103 could be removed from the annular body 101 , if secured thereto, to gain access to the volume of the annular body 101 . The lid 103 may then be secured on the annular body 101 once the tubular film TF is installed therein. A free end TFE of the tubular film TF may be pulled out from the volume, if not already out. The free end TFE may be passed through the central opening 102 of the annular body 101 . The annular body 101 may be inserted in the support 32 in any one of a total of four possible orientations, as described above. The free end TFE of the tubular film TF may be passed through the central opening 53 of the tray 50 (if present), and through the opening 83 between the jaws 62,72 in the open position. If the jaws 62, 72 are not already in the open position when the user installs the cassette 100 in the support 32, the user may cause a movement of the jaw members 60, 70 by pulling on the jaw member 70, thereby actuating the mechanism (described above). The pull may be on a single one of the jaw members 60 and 70, and may be a manual pull. As such, the pair of jaws 62, 72 may be actuated, in translation and in opposite (at least partially opposite) directions, to open access to the inner cavity 21 A of the waste disposal device 10 for the free end TFE of the tubular film TF to go in. The free end TFE of the tubular film TF may thus extend in the inner cavity 21 A of the receptacle. The user may knot the free end TFE of the tubular film TF before of after the free end TFE is passed through the openings 102, 53, 83, unless the bag is already shut closed or has other features to be closed (e.g., Ziplock, etc.). In order to gain access to the inner cavity 21A, for example to knot the free end TFE of the tubular film TF while it is in the inner cavity 21 A, the user may pivot the upper portion 30 relative to the base portion 20 of the device 10 (as in Fig. 5). The upper portion 30 may be pivoted towards the base portion 20 to close the inner cavity 21 A with the knotted free end TFE of the tubular film TF therein. Waste may then be disposed in the free end TFE of the tubular film TF through the central opening 103 of the annular body 101 , and between the pair of jaws 62, 72 (through the gap or opening 83), while the mechanism is in the open position. In order to limit odors emanating from the waste disposed in the device 10, the user may actuate the mechanism to pinch an upper section of the tubular film TF shut between the jaws 62, 72 in the closed position. Opening and closing the jaws 62, 72 may be repeated each time waste is to be disposed.

[0073] Referring to Figs. 9-12, a variant of the waste disposal device 10 is identified at 10’. It is to be understood that the characteristics described herein with respect to various embodiments and referring to the previous figures may similarly apply to the variant of Fig. 9 and will therefore not be described again for brevity. Only the additional features of the device 10’ will be described. Like features between the devices 10, 10’ will bear the same reference number for ease of reference.

[0074] The device 10’ may include a handle 90’. As shown in Fig. 9, the handle 90’ is connected to the upper portion 30’ of the device 10’. The handle 90’ could be connected to the base portion 20’ in variants. The handle 90’ has an arch shape. The handle 90’ is connected on opposite sides of the upper portion 30’. The handle 90’ is pivotally engaged to the upper portion 30’, such that the handle 90’ is movable between a rest position to a locking position. In Fig. 9, the handle 90’ is in the rest position. In the rest position, the handle 90’ may lie against the peripheral wall 21 ’ of the base portion 20’. As shown, the handle 90’ may be shaped so as to contour the base portion 20’ (and part of the upper portion 30’). The handle 90’ may have flat sections or flat surfaces for facing the peripheral wall 21 ’ and to straddle the base portion 20’ from side to side, and on a rear face of the base portion 20’, but this is optional. The lid 38’ of the device 10’ includes a locking feature 91 ' adapted to cooperate with the handle 90’ in the locking position. The locking feature 91 ’ may be a hook, a tab, a strip, a clip, or like features providing a male-female connection or interlocking connection between the handle 90’ and the lid 38’, for example.

[0075] As shown in Figs. 10-11 , in the locking position, the handle 90’ may engage with the locking feature 91 ’ so as to lock the lid 38’ in its closed position on the upper portion 30’. As such, a user may hold and/or lift the device 10’ via the handle 90’. During holding and/or lifting, the handle 90’ in the locking position may prevent the lid 38’ from opening. Since the device 10’ is adapted for outdoor use (as well as for indoor use), the handle 90’ may desirably prevent the lid 38’ from opening, such as by an animal, or wind gusts. When the handle 90’ is in the locking position and engaged with the locking feature 91 ’, pivotal motion of the lid 38’ relative to the upper portion 30’ may be blocked, and the lid 38’ locked in its closed position, thereby limiting accidental sewage if the device 10’ is dropped on a side or turned over, for example.

[0076] In at least some embodiments, pivotal motion of the handle 90’ relative to the locking feature 91 ’ may be blocked in the locking position. The handle 90’ may thus remain in the locking position without any external contribution.

[0077] There may be more than one locking feature 9T, such as, in a variant, locking features 91 ’ on opposite sides of the device 10’.

[0078] In order to disengage the handle 90’ from the locking feature 9T, a disengagement force may be manually applied on the handle 90’ to pivot the handle 90’ out of engagement with the locking feature 91 ’ to return the handle 90’ to its rest position along the sides of the base portion 20’. The handle 90’ could take other shapes, and could be engaged only at one location on the base portion 20’ and/or upper portion 30’, for example, in other variants.

[0079] With continued reference to Figs. 9-11 , the device 10’ may include a support leg 95’. The support leg 95’ extends from the base portion 20’. The support leg 95’ is connected at a bottom end of the base portion 20’. Clips, interlocking features, male-female connectors, fasteners or the like can be contemplated for connecting the support leg 95’ to the base portion 20’, for example. The support leg 95’ may be an integral part of the base portion 20’ in some cases. The support leg 95’ may extend directly from a bottom edge of the base portion 20’ in some variants. The support leg 95’ defines a ground-engaging surface 96’. The ground-engaging surface 96’ may generally lie in a same plane as the ground-engaging surfaces 97’ (Fig. 12) of the base portion 20’ (here shown at the corners of the base portion 20’). As seen in Fig. 11 , the support leg 95’ may extend the footprint of the base portion 20’ on the ground. The support leg 95’ may project outwardly from a remainder of the device 10’. The support leg 95’ may provide more stability to the device 10’. As shown, the support leg 95’ is located on a same side of the device 10’ as the hinge member 27’ about which the upper portion 30’ may pivot. In the embodiment shown, such same side correspond to a rear side of the device 10’ (the front being considered as the side from which the closing mechanism described above may be actuated). The support leg 95’ may be generally aligned between the hinge members 27’, and/or centrally aligned with respect to a median plane of the device 10’.

[0080] For example, when the upper portion 30’ is pivoted opened relative to the base portion 20’ (as in Fig. 5), a weight of the upper portion 30’ relative to the remainder of the body of the device 10’ may tend to unbalance the device 10’. The support leg 95’ may compensate for the shift in the weight distribution of the device 10’ when the upper portion 30’ is pivoted out of engagement with the base portion 20’. The support leg 95’ is shown single in this variant, though there could be more than one.

[0081] Now referring to Fig. 12, a bottom of the base portion 20’ will further be described. The base portion 20’ may include connectors 20C’ for the support leg 95’. As shown, male portion(s) 95C’ of the support leg 95’ may be received in complementary portions of the base portion 20’ forming part of the connectors 20C’. The connectors 20C’ may clip or otherwise engage with and secure the male portion(s) of the support leg 95’ to the base portion 20’. The support leg 95’ may be removed, if desired, by pulling the male portion(s) 95C’ out from engagement of the connectors 20C’.

[0082] With continued reference to Fig. 12, as shown, the ground-engaging surfaces 97’ of the device 10’ may be defined by a plurality of pillars 98’. In the embodiment shown, there are four pillars 98’, each located in respective corners (rounded) of the device 10’. The pillars 98’ projects downwardly at the base portion 20’ to a pillar end 98E’. The pillar end 98E’ defines the ground-engaging surfaces 97’. The present of the pillars 98’ may provide a clearance space between the ground upon which the base portion 20’ stands, and a bottom wall 99’ of the base portion 20’. The pillars 98’ may be hollow. In the embodiment shown, the pillars 98’ form part of the bottom wall 99’. The pillars 98’ may be opened toward the inner cavity 21 A’. The pillars 98’ may have gutters 98G’. The gutters 98G’ may be defined by a hole through the pillar 98’ and provide fluid flow communication with the inner cavity 21 A’ of the device 10’. The gutters 98G’ may prevent the accumulation of fluid inside the inner cavity 21 A’ (e.g., water from rain that could get into the inner cavity 21 A’ if the device 10’ is inadvertently left opened and outdoor). Water may thus drain from the inner cavity 21 A’ and/or from the cupshaped pillars 98’ via the gutters 98G’. As can be seen the gutters 98G’ are located generally inward of the pillar end 98E’.

[0083] As shown, the bottom wall 99’, which may be generally flat in the embodiment shown, may have a plurality of gutters 99G’, here shown in the form of slots. The gutters 99G’ may provide fluid flow communication with the inner cavity 21A’ of the device 10’. The gutters 99G’ may allow water or other fluids present (if any) in the inner cavity 21A’ (e.g., condensed moisture, water, etc.) to drain from the inner cavity 21 A. The gutters 99G’ may also allow some venting to the inner cavity 21 A’ via the bottom of the base portion 20’. The pillars 98’ and the bottom wall 99’ are shown in this variant as separate parts that are connected to the peripheral wall 2T of the base portion 20’. The pillars 98’ and the bottom wall 99’ could form an integral part extending from the peripheral wall 2T as other possibility. It should be understood that these features described with respect to the device 10’ may also be present in the device 10 and variants thereof described above.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A waste disposal device comprising: a receptacle having an opening at a top end, the receptacle defining an inner cavity accessible through the opening; a bag interface adapted to hold a bag opened at the opening of the receptacle with a closed end of the bag in the inner cavity; a pair of jaws mounted in translation to move relative to one another and adapted to close off a portion of the bag passing therebetween, the pair of jaws being displaceable from a closed position in which the jaws meet to close access to the closed end of the bag, to an open position in which the jaws are separated from one another for waste to pass through the bag into the inner cavity; and a mechanism operatively connecting the jaws such that a pulling or pushing action on one of the jaws results in a concurrent displacement of the pair of jaws.

2. The waste disposal device of claim 1 , wherein a distance of travel of one of the jaws of the pair of jaws upon the pulling or pushing action is shorter than a resulting combined movement between edges of the respective jaws of the pair of jaws, the edges adapted to contact each other in the closed position.

3. The waste disposal device of claim 2, wherein the resulting combined movement between the edges of the respective jaws of the pair of jaws is between 150% and 200% of the distance, inclusively.

4. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pair of jaws define an opening in between them in the open position, the pair of jaws meeting at a center of the opening between the pair of jaws in the closed position.

5. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mechanism includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the jaws of the pair of jaws forming part of respective ones of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

6. The waste disposal device of claim 5, wherein at least the first jaw member includes guide legs, the guide legs spaced apart from each other and interconnected via one jaw of the pair of jaws.

7. The waste disposal device of claim 6, wherein the pulling action on the second jaw member in a first direction causes a concurrent movement of the first jaw member in a second direction, the first direction at least partially opposite to the second direction.

8. The waste disposal device of claim 7, wherein the first direction and the second direction are in a common plane.

9. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second jaw member includes guide legs spaced apart from each other and interconnected via the other one of the jaws of the pair of jaws, the guide legs of the first jaw member and the second jaw member movable with respect to one another in an overlapping relationship, between the closed position and the open position.

10. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the guide legs of the first jaw member each define a channel for receiving a respective rack of the mechanism.

11. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the guide legs of the second jaw member each define a channel for receiving a respective rack of the mechanism.

12. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 5 to 11 , wherein the mechanism includes a first pinion between a guide leg of the first jaw member and a guide leg of the second jaw member.

13. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mechanism includes racks respectively moving with the jaws of the pair of jaws, and a pinion meshingly engaged with the racks.

14. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mechanism includes a tray, an opening is defined through the tray, one of the jaws of the pair of jaws is received within the tray for translational movement relative to the tray.

15. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the receptacle includes a base portion and an upper portion pivotable relative to the base portion.

16. The waste disposal device of claim 15 depending on claim 15, wherein the tray is pivotable relative to the base portion.

17. The waste disposal device of claim 15 depending on claim 14, or claim 16, wherein the tray is held captive in the upper portion.

18. The waste disposal device of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein a vector of movement of the jaws of the pair of jaws is perpendicular to a vertical axis of the waste disposal device.

19. A method of installing a film dispensing cassette in a waste disposal device, the film dispensing cassette including an annular body, an outer periphery having four corners and a central opening from a bottom to a top of the annular body, the annular body receiving in a volume thereof a tubular film in an accumulated condition radially outward of the central opening, the method comprising: dispensing some of the tubular film from a top of the annular body via a free end of the tubular film; passing the free end of the tubular film through the central opening of the annular body, and through a gap between a pair of jaws of a closing mechanism in an open position; and positioning the annular body in a cassette support of the waste disposal device in any one of four possible angular orientations of the cassette in the cassette support.

20. A method for disposing of waste in a waste disposal device with a film dispensing cassette, the method comprising: obtaining the film dispensing cassette including an annular body defining a central opening, the film dispensing cassette having a generally square periphery, the annular body including a volume for receiving a tubular film radially outward of the central opening; passing a free end of the tubular film through the central opening of the annular body; inserting the annular body in a cassette support of the waste disposal device in any one of a total of four possible orientations of the cassette in the cassette support; causing a movement in at least partially opposite directions of a pair of jaws mounted in translation to open access to an inner cavity of the waste disposal device for the free end of the tubular film to go in, by applying a manual force to a single one of the jaws; and disposing waste into the free end of the tubular film through the central opening and through a gap between the pair of jaws.